Welcome to real talk for movement ministers of all genres! We will discuss the good, the bad, and yes- the ugly of all things dance ministry. We will also highlight examples visually as the occasion merits. Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

"Scept-acular!"

The Word is teeming with visual imagery and symbolism. Our creative God is neither boring nor mundane. Movement ministry should be as vivid and limitless as the Word. The more that we understand the power of visual symbolism recorded in the Bible, we become more effective when incorporating visual imagery in dance.

A crown is often used to denote Kingship or royalty in many dance and pageantry presentations. Another powerful visual tool that can be used in movement ministry is the scepter. A King's scepter denotes authority and sovereign rule. It is a personal item in that it is held in the King's hand and can be moved by pointing and upright placement (like a staff), even in matters of decision-making. In contrast, a crown is often placed on the head and is rarely moved or used once in place. In the book of Esther, the extension of the King's scepter meant the difference between life and death.

Scepters can be made by hand, purchased online, or obtained at costume and prop stores for use in worship. Gold and silver are popular colors, often richly decorated with or without jewels of various colors. These can be ornate, and long or short. Choreographic movements can highlight the Majesty of royal symbols.

We must take care to remember that the Kingship is to be at the forefront. Scepters that appear overly-feminine may give the impression that a queen is in power. There is no perfect scepter on earth that can capture what the Sovereign King would hold in the Heavenlies. When we seek and ask the Lord for Divine creativity, He will show us that it has already been revealed in His Word.

Genesis 49:10 (NKJV)The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Numbers 24:17 (NKJV)“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.

Esther 4:11 (NKJV)“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.”

Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV)But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.